Scars decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to August 22, 2016. From August 22, 2016 forward, the Veteran has a combined 100 percent schedular rating and is already receiving maximum benefits for his disabilities.

The Veteran's pilonidal cyst claim was dismissed due to withdrawal. His low back scar claim was denied as secondary to a service-connected condition. A rating of 30 percent for laceration and surgical correction of the left foot from January 31, 2014 is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting opinions on whether his aortic valve disorder is related to his military service, specifically Agent Orange exposure. The decision also notes that scars are inextricably intertwined with the aortic valve disorder claim and must be remanded as well.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding an earlier effective date for service connection of post-operative scars. The appeals for initial ratings and increased ratings are being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of recurrent urinary tract infections and a compensable disability rating for her scar of the right hand. The Board found no evidence to support a current diagnosis of chronic UTIs or any residual effects from her in-service scars.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not caused or aggravated by her service-connected PTSD. The right inguinal hernia and painful surgical scar of abdomen associated with it have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's facial scars are rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that they do not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence provided.

The Board denied service connection for parathyroid adenoma and scar on neck as secondary to parathyroid adenoma due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service connection for multiple sclerosis is granted, while his claims for hypertension and other conditions are denied. The lumbar spine disability remains at a 10% rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding earlier effective dates for service connection. The Veteran's somatic symptom with pain disorder is granted a 50% rating, but no higher, from November 19, 2015. The issues of service connection for a penile condition, initial compensable ratings for pubic area surgical scar and left ilio-inguinal neuralgia, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including effective date determinations and evaluations for various disabilities. The Veteran is also being asked to provide new evidence in support of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for a basal cell carcinoma scar on the left lower cheek was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for plantar fasciitis due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for multiple superficial, linear scars of the anterior chest is remanded due to insufficient information from the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion and instability, but the Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted.,A separate 10 percent rating is granted for painful residual appendectomy scar.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and special monthly pension (SMP) based on the need for aid and attendance have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for postoperative appendicitis residuals including peritonitis and bowel fistula, prior to July 16, 2014, and a rating in excess of 30 percent effective July 16, 2014. The Board also denied entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to lack of proximate cause, finding that his disfiguring scars on the nose and neck, as well as impaired smell, were not caused by VA carelessness or negligence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for scars on the left upper extremity and residuals of a left radial fracture were denied. The scars are rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7804. For the radial fracture, the evidence shows no functional impairment or loss of range of motion.

The Veteran's left knee surgical scar is rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of painful or unstable scars.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities was denied as there is no evidence that her conditions render her bedridden or unable to care for herself without assistance.